Regulating-socket.



No. 708,0!6. Patented Sept. 2, I902.

L. F. BOGIA, JR. REGULATING SOCKET.

(Application filed Sept. 20. 1901.]

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

WITNESSES: i INVENTOR:

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REGULATING SOCKET.

(Application filed Sept. 2O 1901.; (No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS FRANCIS BOGIA, JR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

REGULATlNG-SOCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,016, dated September 2, 1902.

' Application filed September 20, 1901. Serial No. 75,739. (No model.)

T0 to whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Louis FRANCIS BOGIA, Jr., of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Regulating-Sockets, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to that general class of electrical fittings designed for temporarily connecting a local circuit including a lamp, motor, electrical heater, or similar device with a line-circuit supplying current.

As hereinafter described, my invention is embodied in an outer shell resembling the ordinary incandescent-lamp socket and comprising a receptacle containing local terminals fitted for detachable connection with the terminal plug of such a lamp. Said device is provided with a turn-button outwardly similar to that employed in an ordinary incandescent lamp socket, but so arranged within the device as not merely to make and break the connection between the line and local circuit, but also to vary the amount of a solid resistance medium interposed between the line and local terminals. The aforesaid arrangement is such that the operator may by manipulation ofsaid button vary the amount of current transmitted from the line to the local circuit, and thus, for instance, vary the incandescence of a lamp attached to the socket.

My invention comprehends the novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure Iis a sectional view of a socket embodying my invention and showing an ordinary in candescent lamp fitted therein. Fig. II is a sectional view taken on the line II II in Fig. I. Fig. III is a sectional view taken on the line III III in Fig. I. Fig. IV is a face view of the insulating-frame member in which is fixed the resistance medium. Fig. V is a sectional view of said frame member with the resistance medium omitted. Fig. VI is aface View of said member opposite to that shown in Fig. IV. Figs. VII and VIII are detail views of the contact-lever shown in section in Fig. I. Fig. IX shows a modified form of contact-le- Ver. Fig. X is a sectional view of a wallsocket embodying my invention. Fig. XI is a side elevation of a modified form of insulating-frame. Fig. XII is a sectional view of said frame, taken on the line XII XII in Fig. XI. Fig. XIII is a left-hand end elevation of the frame shown in Figs. XI and XII. Fig. XIV is a right-hand end elevation of the frame shown in Figs. XI and XII. Fig. XV is a side elevation of said frame opposite to that shown in Fig. XI.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. I to VIII, inclusive, the outer casing or shell is conveniently formed of two members 1 and 2, the latter comprising the receptacle 3 for the terminal plugt of the incandescent lamp 5 or asimilar device comprising local terminals 6 and 7. Said shell members 1 2 are respectively fixed to the members 8 9 of the frame, which are conveniently molded of ceramic or similar insulating material. Said insulating-frame supports the local terminals 10 11 in position to engage said plug-terminals 6 and 7. Said frame also supports the line-terminals 14 15. The line-terminal let is directly and permanently connected by the conductor 16 with the local terminal 10, which also holds together the members 8 9 of the frame and the members 1 2 of the shell fixed thereto. The

other local terminal 11 is permanently connected by the screw and plug 17 with one extremity of the resistance medium 18, which latter is formed of a solid compound, such as graphite, mixed with a cementing medium and permanently embedded in the recess 10 of the frame member 9. The central boss 20 of said frame member 9 is provided with the metallic collar 21, fitted to the hub 24 of the rotary contact-lever 25. Said lever 25 is provided with the yoke 26, which is pivoted thereon at 27 and provided with the studshaft 28 for the contact-roller 29. Said roller is compressed into contact with the resistance medium 18 by the yoke-spring 30, whose free extremity is in rubbing contact with the terminal 15. As shown in Fig. I, the members 1 and 2 of the shell are so fixed to the frame members 8 and 9 as to afiord an annular space 31 between them to permit the rotary traverse of the contact-lever 25. Said space 31 is covered by the sleeve 32, through which the turnbutton 23 of the contact-lever 25 is entered, so that said sleeve 32 rotates with said lever 25.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. I the shell 1 2 comprises a screw-threaded boss 33 for convenient engagement with a tubular fixture. It is obvious, however,that my improvements may be embodied in a wall socket or receptacle such as is shown in Fig. X, wherein the ceramic wall-plate 34 is substituted for the frame member 8. (Shown in Fig. I.)

In both forms of my invention hereinbefore described the contact-lever is arranged to rotate upon an axis coincident with the axis of the outer shell and between separate frame members 8 and 9. It is obvious, however, that the parts may be otherwise arranged for instance, as shown in Figs. XI to XV, inclusive, wherein the frame 40 is conveniently formed of a single piece of ceramic and supports both. the local terminals 41 42 and the line-terminals 43 44. As best shown in Figs. XI and XII, the local terminal 41 is permanently connected with the line-terminal 43 by means of the conductor 45, which extends in the recess 46 of the frame 40. The local terminal 42 is permanently connected by the metal strip 47 and screw and plug 48 with one extremity of the resistance medium 49, which is permanently embedded in the recess 50 in said frame 40. Said frame 40 is provided with a central metallic bushing 55, in which is fitted the rotatable spindle 56, provided with the knob 57. Said spindle 56 carries the lever-arm 58 in rubbing contact with said resistance medium 49 and the lever-arm 59 in rubbing contact with the terminal 44. Said two lever-arms are maintained in proper relation by means of the spring 60, which encircles the spindle 56 and is retained in proper position by means of the lock-nuts 61.

It is to be noted that in each of the forms of my invention above described the resistance medium forms an annulus which is interrupted by a septum ofinsulating material, as indicated at 22 in Fig. IV and at 52 in Fig. XV. As shown in Fig. II, the electrode 15 terminates short of said septum 22, so as to leave a blank space to receive the roller 29 in insulated position when the lever 25 is shifted to that extremity of its movement. Likewise, as shown in Fig. XI, the electrode 13 forms an incomplete annulus, leaving a blank space in which the lever 59 comes to rest in insulated position against the septum 53, which prevents the traverse of the lever 59 into contact with the initial extremity of the terminal 44.

In order to prevent sparking upon breaking the circuit, it is of course desirable to end the movement of the contact-lever at maximum speed. Therefore I provide the modified form of my device shown in Figs. IX and X, wherein the contact-lever 62 carries the plunger 63, which is pressed by the spring 64 against the resistance medium. Said lever 62 is provided with a hub 65, upon which is journaled the operating-lever 66, which is capable of a movement independent of said lever 62,butdefinitely limited by the pin 67, projecting from said lever 62 through the slot 68 in the lever 66, the latter being provided with the spring 69,which bears upon said pin 67 and tends to maintain the parts at one extremity of their relative movement. It is to be understood that when the lever 66 is shifted by the operator in the direction to break the circuit said lever 66 rotates independent of the contact-lever 62 until the stress of the spring is sufficient to shift the lever 62, whereupon the latter is snapped from one extremity of its range of movement to the other with respect to the lever 66, so that the circuit is. in

stantly broken.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise form and construction of my invention hereinbefore described, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim- '2 1. In a regulating-socket, the combination with a frame of resistance material, comprisingannular flanges connected by a hub of reduced diameter and forming an annular space; of line-terminals and local terminals connected to said frame; aresistance medium secured to the inner face of said frame at one side of said annular space; and a movable contact member, mounted on said hub and arranged to contact with said resistance medium to vary the extent of said resistance medium interposed between said line and local terminals, substantially as set forth.

2. In a regulating-socket, the combination with a frame of resistance material comprising annular flanges connected by a hub of reduced diameter and forming an annular space; of line-terminals and local terminals connected to said frame; a resistance medium secured to the inner face of one ofsaid flanges; and a movable contact member, mounted between said fianges and arranged to contact with said resistance medium to vary the extent of said resistance medium interposed between said line and local terminals, substantially as set forth.

3. In a regulating-socket, the combination with a frame ofresistance material comprising two members, having an annular space between them; the first of said members being provided with a reduced portion and the second member with a socket to receive the reduced portion of the first member; of a resistance medium secured to the inner face of one of said members; and a movable contact member mounted on said reduced portion arranged to contact with said resistance medium to vary the extent of said resistance interposed between said line and local terminals, substantially as set forth.

4. In a regulating-socket, the combination with an outer shell comprising two parts; of

one of said line-terminals with one of said local terminals, and arranged to hold the two members of the frame together; a resistance medium fixed to one member of said frame and permanently connected at one extremity to the other of said local terminals; a rotary contact device arranged to connect said resistance medium and the other of said lineterminals; and means to shift said contact device to vary the resistance interposed between said line and local terminals, substantially as set forth.

5. In a regulating-socket, the combination with an outer shell; of line-terminals and local terminals stationary in said shell; an annular body of resistance medium within said shell; a contact-roller mounted within said,

shell to traverse said resistance medium; and means to shift said roller and thereby vary the resistance interposed in the circuit between said line and local terminals, substantially as set forth.

6. In a regulating-socket, the combination with an outer shell; of line-terminals and local terminals stationary in said shell; an annular body of resistance medium within said shell; a contact-lever mounted to rotate within said shell; a yoke pivoted to said contactlever; a contact-roller mounted for rotation in said yoke; and a spring arranged to press said roller in contact with said resistance medium, substantially as set forth.

7. In a regulating-socket, the combination with an outer shell; of line-terminals and local terminals stationaryin said shell; an annular body of resistance medium within said shell; :1 contact-lever mounted within said shell to traverse said resistance medium; an operating-lever coupled to said contact-lever and arranged for definitely-limited motion with respect thereto; and a spring connecting said contact-lever with said operatinglever, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 11th day of September, 1901.

LOUIS FRANCIS BOGIA, JR.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR E. PAIGE, E. L. FULLERTON. 

